You could be "THAT SHINING STAR"!!
The Value of Music Technology is highlighted in the August, 2009
edition of "Teaching Music", a MENC periodical. The article entitled "The
Innovative Path to a "Really Big Show"" states:
"Teachers of bands, choirs, and orchestra often believe that their
programs exist not only to serve students who are already interested in music
but also to offer a creative outlet to those who don't enjoy participating in
other school activities. But what about the students who have no interest in
school at all, let alone in learning to play a trombone or violin? How can a
music program capture the attention of all students in a way that not only
opens their minds to music as an art form but also gives them knowledge that
can help them find a productive, well-paying job in the future?"
The article goes on to describe an unique music technology program at
Huntington Beach High School in California that "break many of the
traditional stereotypes of what music education should be." Jamie Knight, the
music educator who developed the program has earned recognition on a national
scale. As the article continues:
"His approach to music education is not based on the standard Western
model, in which large groups of individuals work together, emphasizing the
art over the individual. Instead, it focuses on a more modern philosophy that
builds creativity and 21st century skills in ways that remind an observer
more of a technical classroom than a music class."
Knight describes his objective and the value of the music technology program
as an educational model that is "based on providing the kids with real-world
skills that will make them marketable in the field of music as we know it
today." His classes has been embraced by the student body to such an extent
that in only its fifth year he has an enrollment of 140 students in the
school's dedicated music academy.
"His classes have a strong draw from the general student population as
well. This fall's class will include an additional 75 to 80 non-music
students, many of whom could well be considered at risk of dropping out were
it not for the unique music-industry-related programs that Huntington Beach
High School now provides."
Knight's program, like the music technology club at Huntington Middle School,
is an alternative and extension of traditional music education programs.
Additionally, As Knight sums it up: "Even if they don't become rock stars,
they are learning to create content digitally and learning to be creative in
the process. There is no better way to learn about being creative than
through music."
"The Innovative Path to a "Really Big Show”" by Chad Criswell in Teaching
Music, August 2009.
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The Huntington Music Technology Club (HMTC) will begin meeting again in
October, 2011. We will announce the days and times in September, 2011.